the story of the retired fire horse
who always ran back
to the station
upon hearing the bell
is always told as a wry anecdote
with humorous wonder about
what goes on in the equine mind
there was likely harsh training if he was not present
perhaps he tasted fear and singed flesh upon the air
what is our own sense of duty by comparison?
what of our own routines?
what of our own horrors, clanging about
our jumbled brains?
Thoughts Upon First Waking (After Hitting Snooze Multiple Times)
